Positive Parenting

Positive parenting involves taking an approach to
discipline that recognizes the inherent worth and
goodness of the child and seeks to promote deep
attachment between parent and child. This approach
sees discipline as a process of gentle teaching based
on realistic expectations of child behaviour at the
various stages of development. It avoids traditional
punitive techniques such as shaming or spanking that
focus on the misbehaviour, rather than on teaching the
desired behaviour.

Some positive parents also seek to avoid both
time-outs or excessive rewards as means to obtain
'good' behaviour. Positive parenting involves
modelling the type of behaviour desired, helping the
child see the reasons for cooperating, helping the
child learn to make choices themselves, helping the
child understand their own emotions and those of
others and to develop empathy and respect for others.

This approach is based on the work of a number of
authors, including Alfie Kohn ("Unconditional
Parenting"), Lawrence Cohen ("Playful Parenting"),
Barbara Coloroso ("Kids Are Worth It"), Mary Sheedy
Kurczinka ("Raising Your Spirited Child", "Kids,
Parents and Power Struggles") and others.

Note: this is not a debate board. While questions
about positive parenting techniques are always
welcome, this is not the place to advocate spanking or
other forms of physical discipline.

This thread is for our members to post more book and
online resources for Postive Parenting and brief
intros to "hot button" topics like Time Outs or
Overpraise.

We hope you enjoy contributing to our board and
"talking" to these great parents!
less